Khalid Gul

Health Benefits of Anthocyanins and Their Encapsulation for Potential Use in Food Systems: A Review

Anthocyanins are one of the six subgroups of large and widespread group of plant constituents known as flavonoids. These are responsible for the bright and attractive orange, red, purple, and blue colors of most fruits, vegetables, flowers and some cereal grains. More than 600 structurally distinct anthocyanins have been identified in nature. Earlier, anthocyanins were only known for their coloring properties but now interest in anthocyanin pigments has intensified because of their possible health benefits as dietary antioxidants, which help to prevent neuronal diseases, cardiovascular illnesses, cancer, diabetes, inflammation, and many such others diseases. Ability of anthocyanins to counter oxidants makes them atherosclerosis fighters. Therefore, anthocyanin-rich foods may help to boost overall health by offering an array of nutrients. However, the incorporation of anthocyanins into food and medical products is a challenging task due to their low stability toward environmental conditions during processing and storage. Encapsulation seems to be an efficient way to introduce such compounds into these products. Encapsulating agents act as a protector coat against ambient adverse conditions such as light, humidity, and oxygen. Encapsulated bioactive compounds are easier to handle and offer improved stability. The main objective of this review is to explore health benefits of anthocyanins and their extraction, characterization, encapsulation, and delivery.

Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods: The Foods for the Future World

The health and wellness of human beings is largely dictated by the consumption of nutritious foods. Various studies have linked foods as helpful in combating a number of degenerative diseases; as such, a lot of research on functional attributes linked directly to the health benefits of various plant and animal foods have been witnessed in recent years. Although vast number of naturally occurring health-enhancing substances are of plant origin, there are a number of physiologically active components in animal products as well that deserve attention for their potential role in optimal health. Consumption of biologically active ingredients in fruits and vegetables has been linked to help combat diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and gastrointestinal tract disorders. Lot of research is required to substantiate the potential health benefits of those foods for which the diet–health relationships are not sufficiently validated, and create a strong scientific knowledge base for proper application of naturally present foods in combating various diseases and disorders.

Physicochemical, thermal and pasting characteristics of gamma irradiated rice starches

Starches isolated from two recently released rice cultivars (PR 121 and PR 116) grown in sub-tropical climates of Punjab, India were subjected to gamma irradiation at 0, 2, and 10 kGy doses using a Co(60) irradiator source. Physicochemical, thermal, pasting, and morphological properties were studied. Irradiation resulted in a significant decrease in apparent amylose content, swelling power and pasting properties. Carboxyl content and solubility increased with irradiation. The granule morphology was evaluated using scanning electron microscope, particle size analyzer and light microscope. Irradiation resulted in formation of small size granules. Granules were irregular and polyhedral in shape. The granule morphology and A-type X-ray diffraction pattern were not altered by irradiation.

Chemistry, encapsulation, and health benefits of β-carotene - A review

Abstract β-carotene is a principle carotenoid in carrots, and of the most common and widely studied carotenoids. Carotenoids are the phytonutrients that impart a distinctive yellow, orange, and red color to various fruits and vegetables. β-carotene is important not only for the color that it imparts to the food stuffs, but also because of the myriad of associated health benefits. It is the most potent precursor of vitamin A and is present naturally as a mixture of various isomers (cis and trans) of β-carotene molecule. It has a potent antioxidant capacity and offers an array of health benefits such as lowering the risk of heart diseases and certain types of cancers, enhancing the immune system, and protection from age-related macular degeneration—the leading cause of irreversible blindness among adults. Consumer attitude towards bioactive compounds, including β-carotene, as natural colorants and for health benefits is promising. Incorporation of β-carotene in various food systems is limited by its poor water solubility and instability in presence of light, heat, and oxygen. Encapsulation can be a way forward to improve the stability and help in effective delivery of β-carotene.

Functional and sensory properties of cookies prepared from wheat flour supplemented with cassava and water chestnut flours

Abstract Functional and sensory properties of cookies prepared by supplementing different proportions of cassava flour (CF) and water chestnut flour (WCF) blends (0–100%) to wheat flour (WF) were studied. Seven formulations of cookies were prepared from (a) Control (100% WF), (b) 30% WF, 35% WCF and 35% CF, (c) 27% WF, 37.5% WCF and 37.5% CF, (d) 20% WF, 40% WCF and 40% CF, (e) 15% WF, 42.5% WCF and 42.5% CF, (f) 10% WF, 45% WCF and 45% CF, and (g) 0% WF, 50% WCF and 50% CF. Cookies were subjected to physical analysis (cookie diameter, cookie thickness, spread ratio, bulk volume, bulk density, breaking strength, and color analysis) and evaluated for consumer acceptance by descriptive sensory analysis. Cookies prepared from water chestnut and cassava flour had low moisture content (5.63%), low fat (24.87%), higher spread ratio (8.148), decreased L, a and b values (dark color), and low breaking strength than control ones. Sensory evaluation established that cookies prepared from 50% WCF and 50% CF were more acceptable than cookies prepared from other formulations.

Drying kinetics of potato using a self-designed cabinet dryer

Abstract A laboratory scale cabinet dryer was constructed with an attached weighing balance to calculate changes in the weight of the product without removing it from the dryer. Experiments were conducted to study the effect of process parameters (temperature and thickness) on the drying kinetics of potato. It was observed that the drying process was characterised by a decrease in the moisture ratio with time and showed a non-linear behaviour. No constant rate drying period in the entire process was obtained and all the drying process occurred in the falling rate period, showing that drying in this experiment was mainly controlled by diffusion mechanism. Initially, a higher drying rate was obtained followed by slower moisture removal rate. Increased drying rate and decreased drying time were observed with increase in the dryer temperature.

Nutritional impact of ohmic heating on fruits and vegetables—A review

Abstract Ohmic heating, also called electrical resistance heating, joule heating, or electro-conductive heating, is an advanced thermal food processing technique where heat is internally generated in a sample due to electrical resistance when electric current is passed through it. It is a novel technique which provides rapid and uniform heating, resulting in less thermal damage to the food product. According to the recent literature, plant products are most suitable and often used for ohmic heat processing. Beyond heating of fruits and vegetables, the applied electric field under ohmic heating causes various changes in quality and nutritional parameters which include inactivation of enzymes and micro-organisms, degradation of heat-sensitive compounds, changes in cell membranes, viscosity, pH, color, and rheology. Ohmic heating rate depends on the electrical field strength and electrical conductivity of product. This review focuses on various factors affecting the electrical conductivity of fruits and vegetables and the effect of ohmic heating on their quality and nutritional properties.

Characterization of Secondary Metabolites from Various Solvent Extracts of Saffron Floral Waste

Abstract Isolation of secondary metabolites from saffron flower waste (stamens), and their identification using chromatographic techniques was carried out. Extraction was carried out with solvents (methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, diethylether and hexane) with different polarity. Gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) technique was used for identification and structure elucidation of secondary metabolites obtained from saffron flower stamens. Chromatogram of ethanol showed higher peak area as compared to other solvents. Ethanol extract showed maximum number of peaks while chromatogram of hexane extract showed minimum number of peaks indicating that polarity of the solvent plays an important role in the extraction process. GC–MS analysis confirmed presence of many important compounds in saffron stamens such as α-tocopherol or vitamin E, dibutyl para-cresol, hydroquinone, and certain esters.

Safety of Meat and Poultry

Abstract Meat is the flesh of an animal, typically a mammal or a bird, which can be consumed as a food. In a broader sense, meat is the edible postmortem component originating from live animals, which is mostly muscle tissue. Meat, poultry, seafood, and their derived products are consumed as the most important foods worldwide. Due to its biologic composition, meat is one of the more highly perishable foods. Preservation techniques have been used to extend the shelf life of meat and meat-based products, primarily to reduce the growth and proliferation of foodborne pathogens and the development of spoilage. Several traditional and ethnic meat- and poultry-based foods are prepared and served worldwide. Asian meat products are famous due to the particular flavor development by the addition of spices and condiments. Meat and poultry are highly perishable; numerous outbreaks regarding spoiled products are reported each year, but many of them go unreported in developing countries. This chapter will briefly describe the safety and regulatory status for traditional and ethnic meat and poultry products.